Biden and Xi are to meet next week. There is no detail too small to sweat

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As President Joe Biden prepares for a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday, the intricacies of their encounter will be meticulously scrutinized. The minutiae, from their greeting to dining arrangements and seating, will be under intense focus. Senior administration officials describe the protocol as “pretty intense,” highlighting the importance of every detail in such high-level meetings.

In diplomatic encounters, especially between leaders of nations like the U.S. and China, each gesture and word can significantly impact global dynamics. The Chinese are particularly sensitive to diplomatic etiquette, and with the differing interests of Washington and Beijing, even minor aspects may carry substantial significance.

Bonny Lin, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, anticipates thorough planning for the meeting’s choreography, including entry sequences and photo opportunities.

The meeting, set to occur during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, is shrouded in secrecy, with both China and the White House being vague about the specifics, only mentioning it will be in the Bay Area. This secrecy adds pressure as both parties negotiate over various logistical aspects, from meeting duration to the order of entry and the setting of the talks.

The meeting aims to facilitate in-depth discussions on various topics in different sessions, reminiscent of Biden’s extended meeting with Xi before the previous year’s G-20 summit in Bali. This encounter marks Xi’s first U.S. visit in six years and his first to San Francisco since his time as a provincial Communist Party secretary.

Victor Cha, a former White House official, notes that organizing meetings at APEC venues, while easier than in formal settings, still presents logistical challenges. He mentions China’s expectations for high-level treatment during U.S. visits, a demand politically challenging to meet.

Historical meetings, like Nixon’s visit to China in 1972 and Obama and Xi’s tie-less meeting in 2013, underscore the symbolic weight of even informal settings. Trump and Xi’s dinner at Mar-a-Lago in 2017, featuring “the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake,” further illustrates this point.

Bonnie Glaser from the German Marshall Fund suggests that China likely sought a venue separate from the APEC site for a longer meeting. The location may resemble Sunnylands rather than the tense 2021 Anchorage talks. Even weather forecasts and on-site floral arrangements could symbolize bilateral relations, given the cultural significance of flowers like plum blossoms and lotuses in Chinese culture.

Ryan Hass from the Brookings Institute anticipates that China will seek to project a dignified and respectful reception for Xi, emphasizing personal interactions beyond formalities.

Previous U.S.-China encounters have varied, from Nixon’s well-documented shark fin banquet to Obama’s security precautions in 2009. Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush’s visits also highlighted different facets of U.S.-China relations, including human rights.

During a 2011 White House event, Sasha Obama, then studying Mandarin, practiced a few phrases with Chinese President Hu Jintao, while Michelle Obama’s 2014 China visit, featuring cultural exchanges, was also noted for its formality.

Colleen Long of Big Big News contributed to this report.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Biden-Xi Meeting Diplomacy

More about Biden-Xi Meeting Diplomacy

• U.S.-China Diplomatic Etiquette
• Historical U.S.-China Summits
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit
• Cultural Nuances in International Diplomacy
• Biden’s Foreign Policy Approach
• Xi Jinping’s Diplomatic Strategies
• Significance of Meeting Venues in Diplomacy
• Symbolism in U.S.-China Relations